The US tech industry is home to thousands of Indian professionals who have moved to the country in search of better opportunities. Many of them occupy key roles in major tech firms, contributing to innovation and business growth. However, an issue that has recently come to the forefront is caste discrimination within the workplace.
While caste discrimination is legally banned in India, reports suggest that the centuries-old social hierarchy has found its way into American companies, leading to lawsuits and policy changes. This article explores the issue of caste discrimination in the US tech industry, the lawsuits that have emerged, and the broader implications for workplace equality.
Caste discrimination stems from the ancient Hindu social hierarchy, which historically categorized people into different groups based on their birth. The system, though officially abolished in India, still influences social interactions and workplace dynamics, even among the Indian diaspora.
In the tech industry, some Dalits (historically marginalized caste groups) have reported facing discrimination from colleagues and superiors of higher castes. This includes being denied promotions, facing workplace harassment, and being excluded from professional networks.
The issue gained widespread attention in the US when former employees started filing lawsuits against major tech firms, alleging caste-based discrimination.
One of the most high-profile caste discrimination cases in the US tech industry was filed in 2020 against Cisco Systems, a multinational technology conglomerate.
The lawsuit was brought by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) on behalf of an engineer of Dalit origin. The engineer alleged that two higher-caste Indian supervisors at Cisco discriminated against him based on caste. The allegations included:
The case was significant because it was one of the first times a government body in the US formally recognized caste as a protected characteristic under workplace discrimination laws. While Cisco denied any wrongdoing, the lawsuit brought global attention to the issue.
Following the Cisco case, several other caste discrimination complaints have surfaced. Some tech employees have come forward with similar allegations in other companies, leading to discussions on whether US anti-discrimination laws should explicitly include caste.
In 2022, a Dalit activist who was scheduled to speak about caste discrimination at Google alleged that higher-caste employees worked to cancel her talk. She later resigned, citing a hostile work environment.
Reports suggest that employees from Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), and other major firms have also raised concerns about caste-based biases, though not all have resulted in legal action.
These cases indicate that caste discrimination is not isolated but may be a systemic issue within the tech industry, particularly in companies with large numbers of Indian-origin employees.
Unlike India, where caste discrimination is widely acknowledged, many American employers are unaware of caste-based biases. Most diversity and inclusion policies do not explicitly mention caste, making it harder for affected employees to seek protection.
Studies have shown that many Indian immigrants working in the tech industry belong to higher castes. This has led to concerns that hiring, promotion, and workplace culture may be subtly influenced by caste biases.
Caste discrimination is often covert rather than overt. Employees may face microaggressions, exclusion from important projects, or be overlooked for promotions without clear evidence of bias. This makes it difficult to file legal complaints or prove discrimination.
Some major tech firms have taken proactive steps to address caste discrimination. For example:
Some companies have introduced training programs to educate employees about caste discrimination and how to prevent it in the workplace.
With the Cisco lawsuit setting a precedent, legal experts believe more lawsuits could follow. This could push policymakers to strengthen labor laws to include caste as a formally recognized category of discrimination.
The increasing number of caste discrimination complaints has sparked debates in legal and corporate circles.
Caste discrimination is an emerging issue in the US tech industry, and lawsuits like the Cisco case have highlighted the need for stronger workplace protections. As awareness grows, more companies are recognizing caste as a factor in diversity and inclusion efforts.
While there is still debate on how to address this issue legally, the increasing number of complaints suggests that caste bias is real and needs to be tackled through better policies, education, and legal reforms. The future of caste-related workplace policies in the US will depend on how lawmakers, companies, and employees respond to this ongoing challenge.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Workplace discrimination cases are complex, and individuals experiencing discrimination should seek guidance from legal professionals or relevant authorities.
Alexander
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2025.04.07
